Ascendant Sign

Similar: Rising Sign, Sun Sign, Moon Sign, Primal Triad

Your ascendant is also called your rising sign. In your birth chart, the ascendant is on the cusp of the first house. When looking for your rising sign, it can be identified by looking at what was on the horizon or “ascending” at the time of your birth.

Your ascendant sign refers to the placement of the Sun at the date and time of your birth. The position of the Sun is an important factor in determining your zodiac sign, the other being the position of the moon.

In astrology, it makes up one-third of your primal triad:

Rising Sign/Ascendant - Identified by your exact time of birth.
Sun Sign - What season the Sun was in when you were born.
Moon Sign - What sign the Moon was in at the time of your birth.

Discover your primal triad by getting your free birth chart here.

This is the only sign in your chart that is completely reliant on your time of birth, that is why it is so important to have that exact time when getting your birth chart created.

The Ascendant sign in your chart is referred to as the ‘mask you put on,’ meaning that it is the face/traits that others notice before getting to know you on a personal level.

For example, if you have a Scorpio rising (paired with a Leo Sun and a Sagittarius Moon), you may appear to be mysterious and moody when really you are outgoing, fun-loving, and adventurous.

Not everything in our chart is on the rise thought. There is also an opposing sign called your descendant that looks at the part of you that is considered NOT yourself. Each ascending sign has an opposing sign that represents what traits will benefit us and who we attract in our lifetime.

Discover more about your Ascendant in the Ultimate Guide to Your Rising Sign.